Week 1 prep football preview capsules

By JOE STEVENSON – joestevenson@shawmedia.com

Aug. 30, 2013

Friday’s games

Nonconference

Marian Central at
Crystal Lake South

When: 7 p.m. Friday

About the Hurricanes: Marian was 22-2 combined over the previous two seasons, but QB Chris Streveler graduated and is now at Minnesota. LB Chris Daniels will miss the game with a sprained knee. RB Ephraim Lee is the area’s leading returning rusher.

About the Gators: QB Austin Rogers is back to lead an experienced offense that returns four big linemen. South would like a little payback for last season’s 31-0 loss at Marian.

Barrington at Jacobs

When: 7:15 Friday

About the Broncos: Barrington was 3-6 last season, 1-4 in the Mid-Suburban Conference West Division. The Broncos have made the playoffs eight times in the last 11 seasons.

About the Golden Eagles: Jacobs is trying for its fourth consecutive playoff appearance. The Eagles have QB Bret Mooney (2,046 yards passing) and WR Hunter Williams (33 receptions) returning from last year.

Cary-Grove at Wheaton North

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

About the Trojans: C-G is tied for No. 4 in The Associated Press. The Trojans were Class 6A state runners-up and graduated 17 starters, but still have a lot of talent returning and coming up from the sophomore team. QB Jason Gregoire got three starts late last season, which should help.

About the Falcons: North is ranked No. 9 in Class 7A and led by Northwestern-bound QB Clayton Thorson, a 6-foot-4, 197-pound senior.

Bartlett at Huntley

When: 7:15 p.m. Friday

About the Hawks: Bartlett has been in the playoffs 12 of the past 13 years. The Hawks graduated most of their defensive starters and RB Adam Everson, who holds the school’s all-time rushing record.

About the Red Raiders: Huntley finished second in the FVC Valley Division last season, but lost many of its top producers on offense. RB Jake Scalise is a small, quick runner who gained 558 yards.

Prairie Ridge at
Niles Notre Dame

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

About the Wolves: Prairie Ridge has five players remaining from its Class 6A state championship team two years ago. Junior Brett Covalt likely will be running the option offense, while RBs Steven Ladd, Danny Meikel and Brent Anderson will get carries in the backfield.

About the Dons: RB Chris James (5-9, 195) ran for 2,089 yards and 30 touchdowns last season and has five offers from Big Ten Conference schools, along with numerous other NCAA Division I offers.

CL Central at Grant

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

About the Tigers: Central defeated Grant, 30-13, in the second round of the Class 6A playoffs last season for its first second-round postseason win in school history. The Tigers return QB Kyle Lavand to lead the offense and FB-LB Connor Hines, who was one of their best players. Several other defensive starters also return.

About the Bulldogs: RB Jonathan Wells would have been Grant’s best back, but he did not come out for football. Wells suffered a shoulder injury last season and will focus his efforts on track and field.

Oswego East at Woodstock

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

About the Wolves: Oswego East was 4-5 last season and has not made the playoffs in its eight-year existence.

About the Blue Streaks: Woodstock has QB Alan Hafer and RBs Mike Santucci and Nick Rogers returning in the backfield. Santucci and Rogers were the Streaks’ leading rushers and Hafer threw for 817 yards.

Woodstock North at Wauconda

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

About the Thunder: With QB Brian Loftin, FB Ryan Wade and RB Adam Haimbaugh graduated, North must replace 2,795 rushing yards. Still, the Thunder set a tradition with back-to-back playoff appearances in the school’s third and fourth years.

About the Bulldogs: Wauconda is trying to make the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1991 and 1992. Sophomore QB Kevin Malisheski takes over an offense which is blessed with good size on the line.

Larkin at McHenry

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

About the Royals: RB Bubba Clemons ran for 559 yards and four touchdowns on 66 carries last season before an injury ended his season. His speed will be a concern for McHenry. Larkin (2-7) lost to McHenry, 60-20, last season.

About the Warriors: DE Luis Hernandez and C-DT Brad Mischke anchor McHenry’s lines. The Warriors would like to two-platoon most players, although Mischke and WB-DB Payton Lykins will be two who see action on offense and defense. The Warriors were 4-5 last season.

Elgin at Dundee-Crown

When: 7:15 p.m. Friday

About the Maroons: Elgin has dwindling numbers and is 2-16 over the past two seasons. New coach Kyle Rohde takes over to try to get his alma mater back on track.

About the Chargers: D-C started last season with a three-game winning streak, then did not win another game. But the Chargers have a lot of returning starters, even without RB Cody Lane (torn ACL), and are excited about the prospects of the new season.

Richmond-Burton at Johnsburg

When: 7:15 p.m. Friday

About the Rockets: R-B is ranked No. 10 in Class 4A. The Rockets graduated many of their skill position players, but will rely on strong tradition and some key returning linemen.

About the Skyhawks: Johnsburg is looking for its first win since the 2010 season, but having junior QB Nick Brengman back to lead the offense is a good place to start.

Harvard at Rock Falls

When: 7 p.m. Friday.

About the Hornets: Harvard returns 13 starters from last year’s 5-4 team that missed the playoffs on points. RB Christian Kramer (970 yards) and WR Justin Nolen (25 receptions) are two of the top returning players.

About the Rockets: Rock Falls was vastly improved last year from 2011, losing to the Hornets, 25-20.

Marengo at Mendota

When: 7 p.m. Friday

About the Indians: Marengo will miss graduated workhorse QB-RB John Lesiak, who pretty much was the offense with 1,052 yards rushing last year. The Indians did not win another game after their opener and are eager to show improvement early this season.

About the Trojans: Mendota finished 2-7 after falling to Marengo, 21-7, in the season opener.

Hampshire at Burlington Central

When: 7 p.m. Friday.

About the Whip-Purs: Hampshire was 3-6 last season after losing to Burlington, 16-7, in the season opener. Nick Kielbasa, Mason Fluery and Chris Calvin should be the backs carrying the load for the Whips.

About the Rockets: Burlington was 5-4 and missed the playoffs on points last season. The Rockets will look to a number of players in the backfield.

Saturday’s game

Northeastern Athletic
Conference

Alden-Hebron at
Christian Liberty

When: 1 p.m.

About the Giants: A-H will lean on RB Nick Beck (413 yards rushing, 38 receptions) for the offense. Sophomore QB Colten Cashmore takes over the offense for the Giants, who have been to the Class 1A playoffs nine of the last 10 years.

About the Chargers: Christian Liberty has finished 1-8 in each of its three football-playing seasons, but the Chargers narrowed the gaps of their losses last season, so they are making strides.